Breakfast with the Risen Christ

Introduction

It was unusual—but amazing. Korean breakfast.

It was my first morning in Korea, and I was expecting regular breakfast foods—eggs and bacon, fruit, cereal, donuts… you get the idea.

But instead—can you guess what it was? Rice and fish.

I loved it. Supper for breakfast. As an American, it was unusual—but it was great.

Following Jesus’ resurrection, seven of His disciples had an unusual breakfast with Him. It wasn’t unusual because of what they ate—bread and fish were normal food in that time. It was unusual because they were sharing this meal with the risen Lord.

Jesus met His disciples in ordinary places of empty nets and shared meals to remind them—and us—that He is still present, still providing, and still inviting us into fellowship with Him.

And that’s what we see in John 21.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You that just as You sought out Your disciples, You still seek us today.

We pray this morning that as we come to Your Word, we would encounter You in a real and powerful way. Draw us into fellowship with You.

Lord, may Your Word fill us and equip us to live for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Old Work and Empty Nets (John 21:1–3)

I invite you to open your Bible’s to John 21:1. This passage takes place during the time between Jesus resurrection and his ascension to Heaven. Once again the disciples will see the risen Jesus. Would you read along in John 21:1?

John 21:1–3 NKJV

1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.

The Disciples had come back to Galilee as Jesus had told them to do and were waiting on Jesus to appear to them, to give them the Holy Spirit He had promised. Rather than sitting around the house they went back to what they knew- fishing. So they grabbed their nets and headed to the Sea of Tiberias, AKA the Sea or Lake of Galilee.

With the wild rollercoaster their emotions had just gone through, from the pits of despair at Jesus death to the heights of joy at seeing Him resurrected and alive, it may have been calming to get back to something familiar as they spent a night on the lake fishing as they had done so many times before.

But as morning dawned and breakfast approached, their nets remained empty.

Illustration: Recording videos

Have you ever worked on something and come up empty? I certainly have. Not long ago I was recording a video for YouTube. I finished up, it was a lot of work, but now all I had to do was edit it. So I pulled up the video… and it had no sound. I had forgotten to plug in the mic.

All my work and I came up empty.

The disciples had been fishing all night, that’s a lot more work than making a single video, and they caught nothing. Their best efforts left their nets literally empty.

Application: When we are Empty

The reality is that all of us come up short sometimes. Even when we try our best we can be left empty. Our efforts at our jobs, at parenting, at school, at ministry sometimes leave us with “empty nets.”

We don’t see results. We don’t reap rewards.

It’s frustrating, and honestly it makes it hard to keep trying.

I’ve never met anyone who prayed for empty nets.

Yet that’s what God gave the disciples because He had a purpose in mind for those empty nets.

And for us too, God can use our empty net moments. He can use our times where we aren’t productive, where we feel frustrated, and even our failures to bring us closer to Him. To help us rely on him and not on ourselves.

It is in this empty net moment that the risen Lord appears to invite the Disciples to breakfast.

2. Jesus on the Shore (John 21:4–5)

John 21:4–5 NKJV

4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”

As is so often the case, the Disciples didn’t recognize Jesus. It may have been dark and he was a good ways away, so maybe all they could make out was a figure in the distance shouting out.

But I don’t think distance or darkness were the only reasons they didn’t recognize Him. I think it’s also because they were preoccupied and not expecting Jesus to show up while they were fishing.

The disciples were preoccupied with their work, with their empty nets, with their frustration, with making new breakfast plans since they hadn’t caught anything. They were so focused on their problems, that they didn’t recognize Jesus.

And maybe they had gotten so used to Jesus the teacher who who taught in synagogues and temples, and now that he was resurrected appeared when they gathered as a group, that they forgot that this is the same Jesus who meets fishermen while they are fishing. Maybe they had fallen into the pattern of separating normal work time, and encountering Jesus time.

Application- Would you recognize Jesus

What about you? If Jesus were to call out to you in the midst of your every day activity, would you recognize his voice?

Would you recognize Jesus while you are at work, at school, taking care of the kids, doing chores?

Or are you only listening for God on Sundays between 9:00 and 11:00 AM?

Or maybe the issue is preoccupation. Are you so caught up in your own struggles and emptiness that you wouldn’t recognize Jesus?

No Food

The disciples didn’t recognize Jesus, so when he asked if they had any food they said no.

Of course they were speaking to The Bread of Life! The one who feeds them spiritually, and as we are about to see, who has already prepared the breakfast to meet their physical needs as well.

When we focus on our problems, when we focus on ourselves, and we take our focus off Jesus we often overlook the very real ways that God meets our needs.

3. Obedience and Abundance (John 21:6-8)

John 21:6–8 NKJV

6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.

They don’t recognize that it’s Jesus but they hear the strangers advice from shore telling them to try casting their nets on the other side of the boat. Some wonder why they would even take this strangers advice. Others wonder how they didn’t connect this advice with Jesus. After all, three years earlier Jesus called his first disciples by guiding them to a miraculous catch of fish after a similar night of empty nets.

What both questions have in common is this: they aren’t coming from fishermen. My experience with fishing is that not catching anything and advice from nearby strangers on better places to catch fish are a pretty common experiences.

Jesus’ instruction is simple: try again.

And notice—He doesn’t send them somewhere new. He doesn’t overhaul the situation. He just tells them to cast again, just a few feet away.

The disciples may have preferred something more dramatic. A clear solution. A guaranteed outcome. A fix that removes all uncertainty.

And that’s often what we want from God too, isn’t it?

We want the weekend conference that changes everything. The one experience that resets our whole spiritual life. The moment that fixes what’s been broken. We want a breakthrough.

But more often, isn’t it the simple, daily obedience that Jesus calls us to? Getting up again and praying. Opening His Word again. Trusting Him again in the same place we trusted Him yesterday.

Jesus tells them to cast the net one more time. And they do.

And this time, they don’t come up empty. Instead, they are unable to haul in the net because of the abundance of fish.

When we trust God and follow His direction, it doesn’t always look like this kind of abundance in a visible, immediate way. Sometimes it looks small. Quiet. Ordinary. That’s usually true for us, and that was usually the case for the disciples too.

But I have found this to be true: when we follow Jesus, He is always faithful. He always provides what we need, in the way we need it, in His timing.

This miraculous catch of fish is what leads to recognition. Once again, there’s a kind of race to understand what’s happening. John recognizes it first. He turns to Peter and says, “It is the Lord!”

Peter is a little slower to recognize it—but once he does, he reacts immediately. Just like at the tomb, he doesn’t hesitate. He throws on his outer garment and plunges into the sea, swimming to Jesus.

Illustration: In my house, I usually only move that fast when someone calls out that food is ready. As a kid on Saturday mornings, it sounded like a stampede when my mom shouted out that breakfast was ready—and my brothers and I came sprinting to the table to make sure we got our share of bacon.

It may have looked a little like that with Peter.

But he wasn’t rushing to a meal.

He was rushing to a Person.

Peter isn’t just eager for breakfast—he is desperate to be near Jesus. He loves Him, and he wants to be with Him.

That’s the kind of longing Psalm 42 captures:

Psalm 42:1 NKJV

1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.

Peter longed for Jesus and desperately swam to shore.

4. Breakfast Prepared by Jesus (John 21:9-14)

John 21:9–14 NKJV

9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. 14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

I love this detail John includes.

Jesus had already prepared the fire, the coals, the bread—and even fish.

That detail hits me because I have a tendency to work, in ministry at church, and even spiritually in my own life, as if everything depends on my effort. If I don’t bring in the fish, I’m not going to be able to eat. If I want to grow closer to God, the only solution is to work harder. If I want to be used by God, I’ve got to become better educated, more skilled, and put in more hours of work.

But look at this scene.

Even back when the disciples were worried about their empty nets. In that moment where they clearly weren’t enough, Jesus had already prepared the breakfast. He already had the fire going, he already had the bread, and he already had the fish laid out.

This breakfast never depended on their effort. Jesus already had it prepared.

And that’s the point.

As Christians, it’s not just the beginning of our journey that is built on grace. We know we cannot earn salvation—so in love and mercy, Jesus died for us. Salvation is an unearned gift, not something we achieve. We know that!

But grace doesn’t stop at salvation. It fills every part of the Christian life.

Even here, on the shore, Jesus is preparing His disciples for the mission ahead—the mission to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. It is an enormous calling.

But He doesn’t begin with a training seminar. He doesn’t begin by upgrading their skills.

He begins with breakfast.

Because their mission is:

Not rooted in their resources, but in their relationship with Jesus.

Not propelled by their own strength, but empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Not earned by their works, but given by the grace of God the Father.

Just as Jesus graciously met them on that shore with breakfast, so through every mile of their journey—every roadblock, every empty effort of their own strength—He was doing exceedingly abundantly above all they could ask or think, according to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in them. (Eph 3:20)

Conclusion

The good news for us is that the disciple’s experience of breakfast with the risen Lord is not limited to them. Jesus meets us today offering the same purpose, power, and grace.

He still reaches us in our every day moments.

He still meets our needs when we feel empty.

He still calls us to participate in His mission—not by our power, but by His.

And just as He met them on that shore, the risen Christ still meets us today.

Invitation

Song: Wherever He Leads I’ll Go (Hymn 367)

Jesus’ time with his disciples wasn’t abount them remaining where they were on the shore, but going where Jesus would lead them.

During this song of response, I invite you to reflect on how Christ is leading you to respond today. Maybe it’s learning to listen more closely for His voice in your ordinary moments. Maybe it’s turning to Him in a season of emptiness. Or maybe it’s seeing a way you can live out His mission by sharing His grace and love with others this week.

I invite you to stand and sing as you express your commitment to follow Jesus—wherever He leads.

John Reading Plan

Week 17 (April 26–May 2, 2026)

John 21 – The risen Jesus appears again to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee, providing breakfast and restoring Peter after his denial. He commissions Peter to feed His sheep and hints at the cost of discipleship. The Gospel closes by reminding us that following Jesus means ongoing trust and obedience in light of His glory. Congratulations on finishing reading the Gospel of John. Now what? How will this Gospel change the way you live?

☐ Day 1 – John 21:1–14 + Luke 5:1–11

☐ Day 2 – John 21:15–19 + Ezekiel 34:23–24

☐ Day 3– John 21:20–25 + 2 Peter 1:16–18

☐ Day 4 – Reflection & Review: What sign, statement, or moment in John’s Gospel most strengthens your belief in Jesus—and why?

☐ Day 5– Reflection & Review: What is one specific way you will follow Jesus more faithfully this week because of what you’ve seen in John?

Sermon Notes & Further Study

1. Quotes & Illustrations

Tyndale NT Commentary

Prior to his death, Jesus had told his disciples that, after he had risen, he would go before them into Galilee (Matt. 26:32/Mark 14:28). Following his resurrection, he told the women at the empty tomb to tell his disciples to go to Galilee, where they would see him (Matt. 28:10), something the angels reminded the women of at the tomb (Mark 16:7/Luke 24:6).

Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. Eckhard J. Schnabel, Second edition, vol. 4, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2017), 458–459.

EMPTY NETS (Life Application Bible Commentary)

Jesus never criticized the disciples for going fishing. Whatever their motives, fishing was a familiar activity that gave them a sense of normalcy and comfort. It gave them something to do and time to sort out their thoughts. But their efforts yielded nothing. Many times our efforts at work, parenting, or ministry leave us with only “empty nets.” The Lord allows us to experience lack of productivity, frustrations, and failure to bring us closer to him and to help us rely on him, not on our own resourcefulness. When you feel tired and empty, listen for Jesus’ words to you.

Bruce B. Barton, John, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1993), 403.

Purpose of this Section- CBC

While chapter 20 centered on the issue of faith, chapter 21 centers on the mission of the church. As we have seen, God’s mission to the world is also at the heart of John’s Gospel (cf. “Mission” in the Introduction). Each aspect of these appearance narratives contributes to the mobilization of the church and especially to the task of the leaders as they reach out to God’s flock and his world with the Good News. The miraculous catch of fish (21:1–14) reminds us of the similar miracle in Luke 5, with the same message—when God’s people surrender to the leading of the Lord, great things will happen for those who are “fishing for people” (Luke 5:10).

Grant Osborne, Philip W. Comfort, Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 13: John and 1, 2, and 3 John (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007), 296–297.

The significance of the breakfast✨

The breakfast scene carries profound theological weight for disciples facing an uncertain future. After Jesus’s resurrection, he told them he was sending them as the Father sent him, yet he also maintained that he was not staying with them physically but was ascending to the Father[1]. This created a crisis: they were to make disciples of all nations, but Jesus was going away[1].

The meal addresses this anxiety directly. The disciples needed assurance that Jesus would know where they are even if not physically present, that he could provide for them and control their destinies, and that they should continue following him[1]. By preparing and serving breakfast, Jesus demonstrates his ongoing care and provision. The morning meal provides strength for the day’s activities—this meal which Jesus supplied for his disciples meant they would breakfast on his provisions, with his grace supplying strength for their daily needs and preparing his workers for their day of labor[2].

The meal also establishes the relational foundation for what follows. After sharing breakfast with all seven disciples, Jesus singled Peter out[3] for his threefold recommissioning. Jesus gave Peter three opportunities to re-express his love and recommissioned him three times, possibly because of his threefold denial, with Peter’s reinstatement standing as encouragement for all who might crack under pressure and deny their Lord[3].

The intimacy of table fellowship—Jesus as gracious host, the one who gathered fuel and provisions and took the place of a waiter, serving them[2]—transforms a moment of practical nourishment into spiritual restoration. The disciples are fed, reassured of Jesus’s presence and power, and recommissioned for their apostolic task, all through the simple act of sharing a meal together.

[1] James M. Hamilton Jr. and Brian J. Vickers, John–Acts, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 9:303. [2] Ralph W. Harris, ed., John, The Complete Biblical Library: Study Bible (WORDsearch, 2009), 551, 553. [3] Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 4:385–386.

2. Additional Scriptures

Scriptures Refenced in the Sermon

Read Luke 5:1-11 to see how this event reminds the disciples of an earlier encounter with Jesus.

3. Additional Questions (Using Logos Study Assistant✨)

What is the significance of the disciples returning to fishing in John 21?

The disciples’ return to fishing serves multiple theological purposes in John’s narrative. While awaiting Jesus’s instruction to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit’s arrival, they fish to sustain themselves and their families[1]—a practical necessity rather than spiritual failure. John provides no basis for criticizing their decision, indicating they did not intend to abandon their apostolic mission[1].

More significantly, the fishing episode functions as a deliberate parallel to an earlier miraculous catch recorded in Luke 5:1–11, inviting readers to compare the two occasions[1]. Both narratives follow an identical pattern: the disciples catch nothing during a night of fishing, then Jesus directs them to cast their nets again with extraordinary results[1]. This repetition carries symbolic weight. The miraculous catch reminds believers that when God’s people surrender to the Lord’s leading, remarkable outcomes occur for those “fishing for people”[2]—transforming literal fishing into a metaphor for evangelistic mission.

The scene also demonstrates Jesus’s comprehensive knowledge and total control, as he takes initiative to reveal himself and orchestrate events[1]. Jesus allows the disciples an entire night of futile effort before appearing, respecting their agency even when their efforts prove unproductive[3]. When he finally appears and directs them to fish, the narrative presents Jesus in resurrection power—he knows where the fish are and what his disciples must do, speaking a word of command that brings obedience and abundance[1].

Structurally, while chapter 20 centers on faith, chapter 21 emphasizes the church’s mission, with each appearance narrative contributing to mobilizing the church and its leaders as they reach out to God’s flock[2]. The fishing episode thus bridges the disciples’ past identity with their future calling, establishing that their authority and fruitfulness depend entirely on Christ’s direction.

[1] James M. Hamilton Jr. and Brian J. Vickers, John–Acts, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 9:303–304. [2] Grant Osborne, Philip W. Comfort, Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 13: John and 1, 2, and 3 John (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007), 296–297. [3] Ralph W. Harris, ed., John, The Complete Biblical Library: Study Bible (WORDsearch, 2009), 547.

4. Bible Translation

I’m choosing the NKJV for preaching because I believe it offers the strongest balance of faithfulness to the historic text of Scripture, clarity for modern readers, and continuity with the church’s worshiping tradition.

At the same time, I deeply value other faithful translations—such as the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NIV—which also serve the church well and can enrich our understanding of God’s Word.

5. Commentary Recommendation's

I have found the following commentaries helpful in my study of John.

Introductory

Explore the book in greater depth. Ideal for curious church members, Bible study leaders, and Sunday School teachers who want a clearer understanding of the text without being overwhelmed by technical detail.

1. Holman New Testament Commentary: John by Kenneth O. Gangel

2. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in John by Matt Chandler and Josh Wredberg

3. Be Alive (John 1-12) and Be Transformed (John 13-21) by Warren Wiresbe

4. The Life Application Bible Commentary: John Editor: Grant Osborne

Intermediate

More advanced, with increased attention to historical context, theological nuances, and interpretive questions. Best for teachers or small group leaders seeking a scholarly yet accessible examination of passages.

1. Signs of the Messiah: An Introduction to John’s Gospel by Andreas J. Köstenberger

2. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: The Gospel of John by Grant Osborne

3. ESV Expository Commentary: John by James M. Hamilton Jr.

In-Depth Study

These are a bit more advanced than the previous recommendations and go into more depth. These resources are ideal for those preparing lessons or sermons and looking to engage more deeply with the biblical text.

1. New American Commentary: John 1-11 and John 12-21 by Gerald L. Borchert

2. Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel According to John by D.A. Carson

3. New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Gospel According to John by Leon Morris